Ceramic tile over vinyl flooring
#1
09-11-03, 06:47 AM
Ceramic tile over vinyl flooring
Is it possible to install ceramic tile over a vinyl floor that has been cemented to Luan plywood (1/4" thick)? The vinyl is very well adhered to the plywoo.
#3
09-11-03, 10:17 PM
Member
The stock answer is that is it possible but not recommended. If practical, it is better to remove the vinyl. You may find it easier to remove both the vinyl and luan together. The problem is that the vinyl does not usually provide the rock-solid movement-free base that ceramic tile requires. I'm sure that there are many installations of ceramic tile over vinyl that are performing just fine. It's up to you whether you are up to taking the risk. You have more at risk if you are installing expensive tile than if you are installing cheap tile.
#4
09-13-03, 03:14 AM
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But a risk nonetheless 
We go by the principle of "LT3P". Yes, it's easy to say that fast.
LT3P stands for "less than 3 percent". If we feel an installation is one with a failure rate of more than 3%, we either won't do it or we'll find ways to lessen the risk to where it's the lowest it can be.
Unfortunately, installing over either linoleum and luan has a much greater failure rate than 3%. Ideally, as John says, it's best to take up both the luan and linoleum. Again, check your floor deflection to ensure it's tight enough to receive tile.
David
We go by the principle of "LT3P". Yes, it's easy to say that fast.
LT3P stands for "less than 3 percent". If we feel an installation is one with a failure rate of more than 3%, we either won't do it or we'll find ways to lessen the risk to where it's the lowest it can be.
Unfortunately, installing over either linoleum and luan has a much greater failure rate than 3%. Ideally, as John says, it's best to take up both the luan and linoleum. Again, check your floor deflection to ensure it's tight enough to receive tile.
David
